Marmion family takes in regional pup thanks to Dogs’ Refuge Home in Shenton Park

THE Dogs’ Refuge Home in Shenton Park is considered a local animal rescue charity by many but the organisation rescued more than 270 dogs and puppies from regional areas during last financial year.

This is part of partnerships with Saving Animals from Euthanasia in Broome and the City of Greater Geraldton dog pound, where dogs are flown to Perth or driven by volunteers to enable them to have a second chance at a happy life.

Puppy Aaron was saved from Geraldton and recently adopted by the Laubscher family in Marmion.

Claire (9) described Aaron as “a gentle loving dog”.

“When we adopted him he was a huge puppy but despite his big size, he is not a great dane but a bull arab,” she said.

“Aaron and our cat snuggle up together and Aaron loves kids.

“He has a curious mind that is trying to know more about the world around him.

“What means the most to me is Aaron is trying his hardest to please us every second and even if he does something wrong and even if he can’t do it he doesn’t give up and keeps trying.

“He gives us kisses to greet us.”

She said she hoped others would look at adopting rescue dogs.

Mum Heiltje said Aaron had “really enriched our lives”.

“People say to me how lucky Aaron is that we rescued him and my reply is that we are the lucky ones,” she said.

“He is the most loving and cuddly dog I have ever owned and we all adore him, including our Labrador Lynas and our cat Spooky.

“He has so much love to give and I am so grateful to the Dogs’ Refuge Home for giving him a second lease on life and placing him with us.”

Aaron is one of more than 650 dogs rescued from regional areas including Geraldton, Esperance, Broome and Kununurra, with the charity covering all transport and medical costs.

President Karen Rhodes said dogs from regional communities often arrived in “very poor condition”.

“Many come into our care severely underweight, with mange or other skin conditions, and they obviously also need the routine care that all of our dogs are given, including vaccinations, sterilisation, micro-chipping and flea and worm treatments,” she said.

“We’re committed to rescuing as many dogs and puppies as we possibly can from these areas but given we are almost totally self-funded, it does come at a substantial cost.”

The home is running an appeal for donations to rescue more regional dogs.